Painting hanging in Brussels municipal building is identified as masterpiece by Flemish painter Jacob Jordaens

Work once presumed to be a copy is now thought to date back to the 17th century

The painting had hung undisturbed in the municipal building for around 60 years (Rex Features)

A painting hanging in a local government building in Brussels has been revealed to be a long-lost masterpiece painted by Flemish master Jacob Jordaens.

Since the 1960s, a version of Jordaens’s Holy Family presumed to be a copy has appeared at Saint-Gilles district hall’s town planning and development office in the Belgian capital.

However, following research from the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, the painting was authenticated to be the oldest known version of the painting, dating back to the early 17th century.

Researchers were able to analyse the work using methods such as dendrochronology, which involves dating works from the wood panels they are painted on.

Baroque painter Jordaens, who lived from 1593 to 1678, is said to have created the painting from 1617 to 1618, when he was just 25 years old.

Jordaens’ initials could be seen on the back (Rex Features)

It depicts the baby Jesus along with Joseph, Mary and her mother.

Saint-Gilles cultural heritage expert, Pierre Dejemeppe, stated that the discovery of the painting would provide “a matrix of what [Jordaens] would do later”, allowing art historians to have a “better understanding” of his work.